Laying the Foundation for ACT Practice Success: A Complete Guide
The ACT is more than a test. It is a gateway to academic achievement, scholarship opportunities, and the college experiences that define your future. While the test may appear intimidating at first, approaching it with thoughtful preparation and strategic practice transforms anxiety into control. Your ACT score is not just a number; it is a reflection of your preparation, your mindset, and your strategy. That is why the journey starts not just with content review but with mastering the art of test-taking.
Before diving into specific sections or solving your first problem, it is crucial to understand the structure of the ACT and the role that practice tests play. Taking a practice test is not just about seeing what you know. It is about diagnosing your strengths and weaknesses, familiarizing yourself with timing, and building the stamina required to succeed on test day. The ACT is a long, high-stakes exam, and the more comfortable you are with the pacing and format, the better your real score will reflect your true abilities.
Start by taking an untimed practice test. Use this to observe your natural pacing, your reaction to unfamiliar question types, and how well you focus across multiple sections. Afterward, review not only your answers but your approach. Did you rush? Did you hesitate? Did you waste time on questions that were too hard while skipping easier ones? All of this data helps you create your personal testing strategy.
Once familiar with your baseline, shift your attention to time management. This skill is one of the most underrated and vital elements of ACT success. The test not only assesses what you know but also how efficiently you can demonstrate that knowledge within time limits. Each section comes with strict timing guidelines, and your ability to manage the clock could be the difference between a good score and a great one.
Begin by using timing benchmarks for each section. Set goal checkpoints throughout your practice sessions. If a section has 60 questions and 60 minutes, aim to complete every 15 questions in 15-minute increments. These benchmarks create accountability and help you recognize when you need to pick up the pace. Build in buffer time at the end to review flagged or skipped questions.
But be flexible. Some questions will take longer, especially when you’re navigating complex math problems or dense reading passages. Skipping and returning to difficult questions is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of smart prioritization. Learn to identify questions that are solvable with confidence and speed. Answer those first. Then return to tougher questions once the pressure of unanswered items has been reduced.
Use practice tests to simulate exam conditions. Find a quiet place, eliminate distractions, and adhere strictly to time limits. This repetition builds the mental endurance needed to remain sharp from the first English question to the final word of the essay. Track your performance with each test. Are you finishing on time? Are your accuracy and pacing improving? This data tells you what to celebrate and where to refine.
One often overlooked strategy is marking difficult questions for review. During the actual exam, you may encounter questions that seem confusing or time-consuming. Rather than forcing yourself to answer immediately, mark them. Come back with a fresh perspective once you’ve answered the rest. This method preserves your momentum and reduces the likelihood of getting stuck.
Guessing is another essential skill. While it is tempting to leave hard questions blank, especially under pressure, remember that the ACT does not penalize for incorrect answers. If you must guess, eliminate as many wrong options as possible. Often, even one eliminated choice increases your odds of guessing correctly. If unsure, trust your instincts and move on.
Reading instructions carefully may sound basic, but under stress, it is easy to misread directions. One word in a question stem can completely change what is being asked. Train yourself to pause briefly at the beginning of each section. Read the directions slowly. Ensure you understand exactly what is being asked. This small investment of time can prevent avoidable mistakes.
Lastly, cultivate a growth mindset. The ACT is a learned skill. Improvement comes with effort, strategy, and repetition. Let each practice test teach you something. Celebrate your wins, learn from your misses, and remember that every session brings you one step closer to your best score. With the foundation in place, you are ready to move into section-specific strategies that will elevate each part of your test experience.
The TEAS exam challenges your ability to think critically, solve problems, and apply foundational knowledge across four academic domains. These domains—Reading, Math, Science, English, and Language Usage—are not just isolated subjects; they are key components of what you will encounter in nursing education and healthcare careers. For this reason, mastering each section of the TEAS exam using your study guide requires strategy, repetition, and understanding how each part fits into the broader context of the exam.
The Reading section of the TEAS exam assesses your ability to extract information from written passages. This includes understanding the main idea, identifying supporting details, interpreting the author’s intent, distinguishing between fact and opinion, and analyzing text structures. You’ll be asked to read various types of passages—narrative, expository, and persuasive—and respond to questions that test comprehension and critical reasoning.
To prepare for this section, using your study guide, begin by reviewing strategies for reading comprehension. These strategies include identifying the main idea, recognizing the tone of the passage, and being able to distinguish between generalizations and specific evidence. Each module in the reading section of your guide will likely highlight these elements and provide examples to practice identifying them.
Start your reading sessions with short paragraphs and increase the length and complexity as your confidence builds. Use the study guide to understand different question types. For example, some questions may ask about the purpose of a sentence or paragraph, while others will test your ability to follow arguments and recognize assumptions. Being able to recognize the structure of arguments is key to answering these questions correctly.
Underline keywords as you read passages. Focus on transition words such as however, therefore, and for example, as they often signal a shift in logic or tone. Make brief notes in the margins or beside the question if allowed, noting the author’s stance or the flow of the paragraph. This active reading keeps you engaged and helps you answer questions with precision.
Your study guide may also include sample reading passages with explanations. Use these to simulate the real exam. Read the passage first, attempt to answer the questions without looking back, and then review the correct answers with detailed explanations. Understanding why a particular answer is correct is more beneficial than simply memorizing it.
Complement this strategy with timed reading drills. The Reading section is not just about accuracy—it is also about speed. Train yourself to move quickly through passages while maintaining comprehension. As your speed increases, return to your study guide to recheck accuracy and understanding.
The Math section measures your understanding of basic arithmetic, algebra, measurement, and data interpretation. Success in this section requires both content mastery and problem-solving fluency. Many students find the Math section intimidating, especially if they have not taken a math class recently. But with consistent effort and smart use of your study guide, you can close any gaps.
Your study guide should include all the essential formulas and concepts tested in the TEAS. Start by creating your formula sheet based on the guide’s math module. Include area and volume formulas, percentages, ratios, proportions, algebraic expressions, and basic geometry rules. Memorize these formulas and review them daily.
Begin with arithmetic and operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. This includes order of operations, estimating values, and converting between number types. The guide may present problems step by step. Practice doing similar problems on your own using only the steps outlined. Once comfortable, move on to more challenging content like solving for variables, interpreting word problems, and understanding graphs or charts.
Word problems often present real-life scenarios that require multi-step thinking. Use your guide to practice breaking down these problems. Highlight or underline important numbers and look for words that indicate specific operations, like increased by, decreased by, product of, or total.
Another vital skill is understanding measurement and data interpretation. You will be expected to convert between units of measurement, interpret tables and graphs, and solve problems involving time, distance, and rate. Your study guide may include conversion tables or sample data charts to work through. If not, create your visual aids or find additional practice resources to complement what the guide offers.
Use repetition as a learning tool. Once you complete a module in the math section, create flashcards with sample problems or steps. Practice solving these regularly. This builds confidence and speed, two elements crucial to mastering timed math questions.
Incorporate short, timed math quizzes into your routine. Try completing 10 questions in 10 minutes, increasing difficulty and reducing time as you improve. After each session, check your answers and analyze your mistakes. Use your study guide to go back and reinforce the concepts related to those errors.
Math anxiety is real for many students. The key is to build familiarity through consistent practice. The more you work with the guide and your supplementary materials, the more automatic the problem-solving process becomes. Eventually, math problems that once caused stress become opportunities to earn easy points on test day.
The Science section of the TEAS is often considered the most difficult, largely due to its breadth of topics. It includes questions on human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and scientific reasoning. To succeed in this section, you must have a solid grasp of body systems, cellular function, basic lab procedures, and scientific logic.
Begin by diving into the anatomy and physiology modules in your study guide. These typically represent the majority of the questions in the science section. Focus on learning the major body systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, and musculoskeletal. Understand not only the structures but also how they interact with each other.
Make use of visual learning methods here. Create labeled diagrams based on the illustrations in your guide. Build mind maps that show how systems relate to one another. For example, map the path of oxygen from inhalation through the respiratory system to its diffusion into the bloodstream and eventual use by cells in the body.
Move next into cell biology and chemistry fundamentals. Your guide may summarize processes like mitosis, meiosis, osmosis, and diffusion. These are essential concepts that appear regularly on the test. Chemistry sections may include questions on atomic structure, molecules, acids and bases, or the periodic table. Do not attempt to memorize the entire table. Focus on trends, such as how reactivity changes across periods or how atomic mass increases.
Use the guide to learn key vocabulary terms. Make a glossary of unfamiliar words and revisit it regularly. Many incorrect answers on the TEAS science section come from misunderstandings of terminology. The more fluent you become in the language of science, the better your ability to interpret the questions.
Scientific reasoning is another important component. This involves interpreting data, understanding experimental design, and drawing conclusions from evidence. Use the guide’s examples to practice identifying hypotheses, independent and dependent variables, and controls in a given experiment. Review how to read graphs and charts, draw conclusions, and evaluate whether data supports a stated claim.
You do not need to be a science expert to succeed in this section. What you need is structure and focus. Use your study guide to filter out what matters most, and reinforce your understanding with flashcards, quizzes, and concept maps.
Practice consistently. Rotate topics regularly. One day, focus on the nervous system. Nextt, dive into DNA replication. Return to each concept at least three times in your study cycle. This repetition ensures that information moves from short-term memory into long-term retention.
The final section of the TEAS exam tests your command of standard English conventions. This includes grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, and understanding of word meanings. Many students assume this section will be easy, but it often surprises those who don’t give it enough attention.
Your study guide will likely break this section into rules-based modules. Start with grammar basics: subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, verb tenses, and modifiers. Review how sentences are constructed and how phrases are linked with conjunctions. Practice identifying and correcting run-ons, fragments, and awkward constructions.
Punctuation rules are essential. Review the use of commas, semicolons, colons, and apostrophes. Your guide should include examples that demonstrate correct and incorrect usage. Rewrite incorrect sentences and explain why they are wrong. This practice helps internalize the rules rather than just memorizing them.
The vocabulary portion may test your ability to define words in context. Improve this skill by reviewing root words, prefixes, and suffixes. Knowing how words are built helps you deduce the meaning of unfamiliar terms. Your study guide may include vocabulary exercises or reading passages with accompanying questions. Use these to strengthen your contextual understanding.
In terms of writing structure, practice identifying the main idea, supporting evidence, and conclusions within short passages. Understand how ideas should flow logically from one sentence to the next. Look for transitions and sentence connectors that improve clarity and coherence.
Use end-of-module quizzes and flashcards to test your understanding. Create sentences using new vocabulary or apply grammar rules in your writing. Self-correction is one of the best ways to learn, so review your work with a critical eye and apply what you have learned from your study guide.
Preparing for the TEAS exam is a journey that demands structure, consistency, and personalization. Success on the TEAS is not only about understanding science, math, reading, and grammar—it is about how well you prepare, manage your time, and adapt to your strengths and weaknesses. Whether you are months away from test day or counting down the final weeks, creating a personalized study plan ensures your preparation stays focused, efficient, and effective.
A one-size-fits-all plan does not work for the TEAS because every test-taker enters with different levels of prior knowledge, learning styles, and goals. Some students may need a deep review of human anatomy, while others might find grammar or algebra more challenging. The power of a study plan lies in its ability to respond to your individual needs and grow with you as your knowledge expands.
Before creating your study plan, you need to understand your starting point. Begin with a full-length diagnostic TEAS practice test. Take it under timed conditions to simulate the real testing environment. Once complete, review your scores not only by section—Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage—but by individual question types within each domain.
Look beyond the overall score. Where did you lose the most points? Were there particular question formats that confused you? Did you run out of time? Which sections felt easiest, and which felt overwhelming?
Use this self-assessment to build a clear picture of your strengths and gaps. Write down or chart your results. For example, if you scored 85 percent in Reading but only 56 percent in Science, it’s clear where to focus more of your time. If you performed well in calculations but poorly in data interpretation, you can target that specific skill in your math review.
This step is not just about identifying weaknesses—it is about focusing your energy where it will have the most impact. Improvement starts with clarity.
Once you know where you stand, it is time to break down your study goals into a manageable weekly schedule. Start by determining how many weeks you have before your test. Then decide how many days per week you can realistically study. Aim for five to six days of study each week, leaving one day for rest or light review. If your schedule is particularly busy, even three to four focused days can yield results if managed carefully.
Designate specific days for specific subjects. For example:
This pattern offers balance and rhythm. It ensures you cover all sections while still building momentum. You can adjust the schedule based on your diagnostic results. If math is your weakest area, give it more attention throughout the week.
Each study day should include warm-up questions, content review, and practice. Spend the first ten minutes reviewing concepts from the previous session. Then dive into the new material using your study guide. End each session with five to ten practice questions or a mini-quiz to assess understanding.
Be flexible. If a topic is taking longer to understand, do not rush. Extend the study over two sessions. Conversely, if you’ve mastered a section earlier than expected, reallocate that time to other areas or full-length practice.
To make your study time productive, break each session into blocks with specific goals. A typical 90-minute session might look like this:
This block-style structure prevents fatigue and keeps you engaged. If you’re short on time, a 30-minute focused session is better than a distracted hour. The key is consistency.
Use timers to stay on track. It is easy to fall into the trap of over-researching or getting stuck on a difficult question. A timer helps you maintain momentum and balance depth with efficiency.
At the end of each day, log what you studied, how long it took, what you did well, and what you still find challenging. This journal becomes a powerful self-reflection tool and makes adjusting your plan easier as you go.
Improvement on the TEAS exam is not always linear. Some weeks, you’ll feel great momentum. Others, you may feel stuck. That’s why tracking your progress is critical.
Set up a simple spreadsheet or notebook log to record your weekly progress. Include:
Revisit this log every Sunday. Reflect on your week. Did your math score improve? Are you finishing reading passages faster? Did your understanding of body systems grow stronger?
Look for patterns. If you consistently miss questions on chemical properties in the science section, revisit that module and do extra drills. If you’re making carelessgrammar mistakesr, slow down and review punctuation rules. This analysis keeps your preparation smart and targeted.
Tracking progress also builds motivation. Seeing your scores rise, even by a few points, reinforces that your plan is working. Progress, not perfection, is the mindset that leads to success.
Studying for the TEAS can be mentally exhausting, especially if you are juggling classes, work, or family responsibilities. Burnout is one of the most common obstacles that students face.
The best defense against burnout is balance. Include rest days in your schedule. Rotate between intense sessions and lighter ones. If you’ve done a full-length science review one day, follow it with a vocabulary flashcard session the next.
Incorporate variety. Alternate between reading the study guide, solving quizzes, watching tutorial videos, and discussing content with study partners. Variety keeps your brain engaged and reduces boredom.
Reward yourself for progress. After a tough session or a strong quiz result, treat yourself to something relaxing or fun. Positive reinforcement keeps your motivation high.
When you feel overwhelmed, return to your original goal. Why are you taking the TEAS? What does passing this exam unlock for your future? Reconnecting with your purpose can reignite your energy.
It’s also helpful to check in with other students preparing for the same exam. Share your struggles and successes. Studying can be lonely, but when you realize others face the same challenges, it becomes easier to push through tough days.
No plan survives perfectly. You will have days when you miss a session or when a topic takes longer than expected. That’s normal.
Build flexibility into your weekly goals. If you miss a day, don’t panic. Simply adjust your schedule or double up lightly the next day. The goal is consistency over time, not daily perfection.
Use catch-up days strategically. Designate one day a week to review everything you missed or struggled with. Use it to retake quizzes, redo practice questions, or watch review videos.
Flexibility also means adapting to how you learn best. If you find that reading the guide is not enough, supplement it with audio summaries, video tutorials, or live study sessions. The best plan is the one that keeps you moving forward.
Your study guide is the backbone of your preparation, but you should also integrate other tools for the best results. Use flashcards to review definitions and formulas. Take full-length TEAS practice tests every two to three weeks. These simulate the testing environment and help you build stamina.
Use end-of-topic quizzes after each study guide module. These test your understanding and reveal whether you need to go deeper. Create concept maps for topics like cell biology, human anatomy, or grammar rules. Visual organization helps deepen retention.
Join study groups, whether online or in person. Teaching a concept to someone else is one of the fastest ways to solidify your understanding.
And most importantly, keep everything connected to your personalized study plan. Your tools should work together, not against each other.
You’ve spent weeks preparing for the TEAS exam. You’ve studied the content, practiced with flashcards, reviewed your mistakes, and followed a structured study plan. Now you are entering the final phase of preparation, where the focus shifts from learning new material to reinforcing what you already know, managing stress, and ensuring you perform at your peak on test day.
This final stretch is not just about reviewing content. It’s about entering the testing room mentally sharp, emotionally steady, and physically ready. Many students spend so much time studying that they overlook the importance of what happens in the final days leading up to the test. But how you spend these days can make a significant difference in how well you perform.
As you enter the last week before your exam, your goal should shift from covering everything to focusing on the most important concepts. At this point, trying to cram new information can be overwhelming and counterproductive. Instead, use your time to reinforce key ideas, review notes, and practice recalling information under realistic conditions.
Start by reviewing the summaries you created throughout your study process. These may include your flashcards, handwritten notes, concept maps, or journal entries. Focus on areas where you previously struggled. Revisit your error logs to see which question types consistently challenged you. Go back to those sections in your study guide and spend time reviewing the foundational ideas.
Divide your review days by topic. For example, dedicate one day each to Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage. Use the final day before the exam for a light review of all four sections. During each topic-specific day, don’t attempt to cover the entire section. Instead, identify your top three to five priority areas. These are the concepts that either appear most frequently on the exam or that you find most challenging.
As part of your final review, complete at least one timed section each day. This helps maintain your pacing skills and ensures you are comfortable working under pressure. After each timed section, thoroughly review the questions you missed. Don’t just note the correct answer—take time to understand why your answer was incorrect and what thought process you need to change moving forward.
Another helpful tool during this period is verbal repetition. Say key concepts out loud. Explain difficult topics as if you’re teaching them to someone else. Teaching requires you to organize your thoughts and articulate ideas clearly, which reinforces your understanding.
If you’ve been using a study group or study partner, use the final week to quiz each other, challenge one another with practice questions, and talk through tough material. The collaborative energy can boost your motivation and remind you that you’re not alone in the journey.
Preparation doesn’t end with content review. In the final week, you should also finalize the logistical aspects of the test day. Knowing exactly where you’re going, what to bring, and how the day will unfold can ease anxiety and prevent last-minute surprises.
Start by confirming the location of your testing center. Look up the address, directions, and any specific parking information. If possible, visit the testing site a few days before to familiarize yourself with the environment. Knowing where to go reduces stress and helps you arrive on test day with a sense of calm.
Double-check the items you are required to bring. These typically include a valid photo ID, your admission ticket or confirmation email, and approved writing utensils. If calculators are allowed, make sure your calculator is on the approved list and has fresh batteries.
Prepare your test-day kit the night before. Include everything you’ll need—your ID, pencils, erasers, calculator, water bottle, snacks for breaks, and a watch if allowed. Choose comfortable clothes and dress in layers. Testing rooms can be unpredictably warm or cold, and dressing in layers helps you adjust to the environment.
Set multiple alarms for the morning of the test. Give yourself extra time to get ready, eat breakfast, and arrive early. Avoid rushing at all costs. A calm, unrushed morning sets the tone for a confident exam experience.
The day before the TEAS is one of the most important in your entire preparation. This is not the time to cram. Instead, focus on rest, light review, and mental clarity.
Start your day with a brief overview of major topics. Read through your flashcards or notes, but avoid diving into anything new or overly complex. Instead of a full study session, do a light review block for each section of the exam. This helps keep concepts fresh without overwhelming your mind.
Spend time doing relaxing activities. Go for a walk, stretch, listen to music, or spend time with friends or family. These moments of ease help calm your nervous system and reduce the buildup of anxiety.
Avoid screens at least an hour before bedtime. The light from devices can interfere with your sleep cycle, and poor sleep the night before the exam can impact your focus and memory. Instead, unwind with a book, take a warm shower, or do a short breathing exercise.
Visualize a successful test day. Picture yourself waking up, getting ready calmly, walking into the test center, and answering questions with confidence. This mental rehearsal builds familiarity with the experience and reduces fear of the unknown.
Go to bed early and aim for seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. Even if you feel nervous, remind yourself that rest is a form of preparation. A rested mind processes information faster and remains calmer under stress.
When you wake up on the morning of your TEAS exam, follow a predictable, calming routine. Avoid anything new or unusual. Stick to breakfast foods that give you energy without making you feel heavy or sluggish. Include complex carbohydrates and protein, and drink just enough water to stay hydrated without frequent bathroom breaks.
Give yourself extra time. Being rushed leads to anxiety, which can affect your performance. Arrive at the testing center at least thirty minutes early to check in, find your seat, and settle in before the exam begins.
While you wait for the test to start, breathe deeply. Focus on inhaling through your nose, pausing, and slowly exhaling through your mouth. This type of breathing calms your nervous system and centers your focus.
Avoid talking about the exam with other test-takers. Conversations about what you studied or did not study can trigger self-doubt. Protect your mental space by keeping your attention inward.
Remind yourself of all the work you have done to prepare. You have studied, practiced, reviewed, and planned. You are ready.
When the test begins, shift into a focused, deliberate mindset. Approach each question calmly. Read every word of the instructions and questions carefully. Do not assume anything. Misreading just one word can lead to incorrect answers.
Manage your pacing. Each section of the TEAS has a time limit, and it’s important to monitor the clock. Use the first few questions to find your rhythm. If you encounter a question that stumps you, mark it, skip it, and move on. You can always return to it later if time allows.
Avoid getting discouraged if you encounter a string of tough questions. Remember that you don’t need a perfect score. You just need to earn enough points to meet your program’s requirements. Stay focused on what you can control—reading carefully, thinking critically, and making your best effort on each question.
During breaks, eat a small snack, hydrate, and walk around if possible. Take deep breaths and avoid conversations about the exam. Use the break to reset and recharge.
If anxiety arises mid-test, pause and take three slow, deep breaths. Focus on your breathing rather than the tension. This will bring you back to the present moment and help you regain control.
Once the TEAS exam is complete, take a moment to acknowledge your effort. Regardless of your final score, you’ve committed to a process of learning, discipline, and growth. That is something to be proud of.
Avoid overanalyzing your performance immediately. You may feel unsure about certain questions or sections, but dwelling on them won’t change the outcome. Instead, shift your attention to rest and recovery.
In the days following the exam, if you’re waiting on your scores, spend time reflecting on your journey. What study methods worked best for you? What did you learn about your discipline and resilience? These lessons will serve you not only in academics but throughout your nursing career.
If you need to retake the exam, use your performance data to adjust your study plan. Focus on your weakest areas and aim for consistent improvement. A retake does not mean failure—it is simply another opportunity to demonstrate your readiness.
If you passed, begin exploring the next steps in your application process. Update your resume, prepare your application materials, and reach out to your chosen programs with confidence.
The TEAS exam is more than just a test—it is a milestone in your journey toward becoming a healthcare professional. The discipline, focus, and courage you’ve built during your preparation will serve you well far beyond the test center.
You have read every guide, practiced every question, and shown up day after day. On test day, you are not just a student. You are a prepared, capable individual who has taken control of your future.
Believe in yourself. Trust the process. You are ready.